Michael Jackson’s Neverland

“Has anyone seen my childhood?”

In 1982 real estate developer William Bone completed a sprawling residence, including a 13,000-square-foot main house, for himself and his family in California’s Santa Ynez Valley. Robert Altevers, of Altevers Associates, was the architect. An aerial view of the 2,700-acre property from the mid-1980s. Michael Jackson acquired it in 1988, naming it Neverland.

Harry Benson photographed Jackson many times over the years, during concert tours and while at home at Neverland. “He didn’t hide anything from the camera,” Benson says.

The addition of a multitude of sculptures and statues is one of the many ways in which Jackson transformed the ranch into Neverland. Near the main house is a statue of Mercury.

Jackson sat for Benson at a piano in the main house.

Jackson had many animals, including an elephant given to him by Elizabeth Taylor. “They didn’t fall in like models,” Benson says. “They had their own agenda.”

Inside Jackson’s bedroom was a large, ornate, gilt chair. Benson encouraged the singer to get comfortable there, and then he promptly captured what turned out to be an intimate moment.